Michelle's Blog

The latest from the BUAV's Chief Executive...

01/07/2013

Good news for animals in India

I am delighted by reports that India is to become the first country in Asia to ban animal testing for cosmetics and ingredients. This step is a significant achievement and we are very grateful to MP Maneka Gandhi, founder of People for Animals, for the key role she played in this historic ban.

This achievement closely follows the recent European Union ban on the sale of animal tested cosmetics - a ban achieved following a twenty year campaign led by the BUAV - and we are now working hard to achieve similar bans in other countries around the world, with our sister organisation, Cruelty Free International. Dr Nick Palmer, our Director of Policy, has recently returned from China where he met with key decision-makers in the Chinese regulatory authorities and also gave a keynote speech at Asia’s premier cosmetics industry event. Next week, he will be in Tokyo speaking at the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR); a key event which brings together cosmetics regulators from a number of countries. I am very excited by the work of Cruelty Free International and optimistic that we can achieve our mission, a worldwide ban on animal testing for cosmetics. We cannot do this without you so please support us with this crucial campaign.

In other exciting news, we are very grateful for the support of Paul O'Grady with the launch of our new campaign, 'Our Best Friends.' As many of you will know, the BUAV has a long history in campaigning to end the use of cats and dogs in research and our investigations over the years have revealed the terrible suffering inflicted on them both in the UK and overseas laboratories. You can find out more and get involved in our campaign at www.OurBestFriends.org

Our revelations that major food companies have been involved in sickening experiments on animals has hit the headlines. The story was widely reported by the media, including online by the Daily Mail and Daily Express. The fact that animals have suffered in efforts to identify 'health benefits’ of certain foods has rightly caused a public outcry.

Finally, our call for an independent inquiry into the findings of our investigation at Imperial College has been gaining momentum. Our open letter to Lord Taylor of Holbeach, Home Office Minister, which was signed by a number of politicians, celebrities and other high profile individuals, was handed in at Number 10 Downing Street. Over 61,000 people have signed our petition supporting our call to the Government to set up a fully independent inquiry at Imperial College. Please sign and share it - http://bit.ly/ltkpetition